Lead With Russ - Russ Clinehttps://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/Tue, 03 Apr 2018 00:26:43 +0000en-USSite-Server v6.0.0-17058-17058 (http://www.squarespace.com)Monday Morning with RussRuss ClineMon, 18 Feb 2019 15:52:00 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/4/2/monday-morning-with-russ-8dtwz-mab47-rkpm5-ekmfy-574fw-z6m6a-fzr4n-lh7bx58e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5c6c25b2971a1870356de5a0Changing My Leadership
I attended a “Trainers of Trainers” session a couple of weeks ago that was
put on by an organization I’ve been connected with for a long time. As I
sat down in the seat for the 2-day session, I had a flood of memories wash
over me as I recalled the first trainers session I had attended over 30
years ago. I was remembering the excitement, the fear and the challenge of
sitting in a room full of other leaders, wondering at the age of 23 if I
would ever be able to become a leader and actually do some of the things we
were being taught and challenged to do.
Fast forward 31 years: I am a leader. I did put those things I learned into
practice. I have been involved in a number of successful organizational
ventures that have taken me around the globe.Changing My Leadership

I attended a “Trainers of Trainers” session a couple of weeks ago that was put on by an organization I’ve been connected with for a long time. As I sat down in the seat for the 2-day session, I had a flood of memories wash over me as I recalled the first trainers session I had attended over 30 years ago. I was remembering the excitement, the fear and the challenge of sitting in a room full of other leaders, wondering at the age of 23 if I would ever be able to become a leader and actually do some of the things we were being taught and challenged to do.

Fast forward 31 years: I am a leader. I did put those things I learned into practice. I have been involved in a number of successful organizational ventures that have taken me around the globe.

Yet, here I was, years later, attending a new training session for leaders.

I’m reading a new book by John Maxwell titled, “Leadershift”(2019 Harper Collins Leadership). I haven’t finished it yet, but he talks about 11 shifts leaders need to make to continue to be effective as a Leader.

Maxwell makes these statements early in the book:

• TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT – Ask yourself, “When’s the last time I did something for the first time?”

•LEARN SOMETHING NEW – Ask yourself, “When’s the last time I learned something for the first time?”

• FIND SOMETHING BETTER – Ask yourself, “When’s the last time I found something better for the first time?”

• SEE SOMETHING BIGGER – Ask yourself, “When’s the last time I saw something bigger for the first time?”

This is why I attended the new “Trainer of Trainers” session last month. I want to be a leader that is growing and developing. I want to be a leader that is being challenged to new things. I’m not content with where I’ve arrived and what I’m doing today, but I want to continue to grow my impact and influence in whatever way possible.

Maxwell’s words resonate with me: “You cannot be the same, think the same and act the same if you hope to be successful in a world that does not remain the same.”

So, as I continue to find ways to grow, to be challenged and to “shift” my leadership in an ever changing world, how are you doing this?

DOLLAR SHAVE CLUB! IT WORKS!

]]>Monday Morning with RussMonday Morning with RussRuss ClineMon, 28 Jan 2019 17:17:57 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/4/2/monday-morning-with-russ-8dtwz-mab47-rkpm5-ekmfy-574fw-z6m6a-fzr4n58e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5c4f363f70a6adb27766dd50On Being Busy…
A good friend of mine published a blog post this morning and the title is:
“If the Devil can’t make you bad, he will make you Busy.” If you want to
read his blog, CLICK HERE
This caught my attention this morning as I looked at my calendar for the
day and the week, as I began to lay out my day today, and as I realized
that I would never get done all the things that I want to get done. I was
feeling a little overwhelmed with it all, then I read his blog, and I was
not only overwhelmed, but I was discouraged!
In Jim’s blog, he says this:
“Have you ever seen the road sign that simply says, “Speed Kills.” Of
course, it’s referring to driving too fast, but I’m convinced that
there are also very poor consequences of living an overcrowded and
constantly exhausting life.”On Being Busy…

A good friend of mine published a blog post this morning and the title is: “If the Devil can’t make you bad, he will make you Busy.” If you want to read his blog, CLICK HERE

This caught my attention this morning as I looked at my calendar for the day and the week, as I began to lay out my day today, and as I realized that I would never get done all the things that I want to get done. I was feeling a little overwhelmed with it all, then I read his blog, and I was not only overwhelmed, but I was discouraged!

In Jim’s blog, he says this:

“Have you ever seen the road sign that simply says, “Speed Kills.” Of course, it’s referring to driving too fast, but I’m convinced that there are also very poor consequences of living an overcrowded and constantly exhausting life.”

I’m overwhelmed and discouraged not because this is news to me. It’s because this is a trap I constantly fall in, and it’s a very familiar feeling and familiar territory.

So my message to you today is this:

*Read the blog from Jim

*Figure out what “Rest, Refresh, Restore, and Recreation” mean to to.

*Start NEW TODAY!

This isn’t the end. The battle isn’t over.

It’s simply time to put things in order and look for that rhythm that has been so elusive in your life.

DOLLAR SHAVE CLUB! IT WORKS!

]]>Monday Morning with RussMonday Morning with RussRuss ClineMon, 05 Nov 2018 22:18:00 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/4/2/monday-morning-with-russ-8dtwz-mab47-rkpm5-ekmfy-574fw-z6m6a58e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5be6070740ec9a789e886fedI recently had 2 mail-order experiences. I ordered something for my office
online, and when it arrived, the item was thrown into a large box, it had
been broken during shipping, and when I picked up the box, it was falling
apart because it had been damaged. The item had to be returned, and I had
to purchase a new box to return it in. I wasn’t happy with the experience.
I then ordered something else online, and had an incredible experience. The
item I purchased was an Apple Watch, so I knew the experience would be
better because of their reputation.Do Your Best!

I recently had 2 mail-order experiences. I ordered something for my office online, and when it arrived, the item was thrown into a large box, it had been broken during shipping, and when I picked up the box, it was falling apart because it had been damaged. The item had to be returned, and I had to purchase a new box to return it in. I wasn't happy with the experience.

I then ordered something else online, and had an incredible experience. The item I purchased was an Apple Watch, so I knew the experience would be better because of their reputation. When I got the box to my office to open, I was impressed with the quality of the packing, the packaging, the branding. Everything was made of good quality materials. The watch inside had been protected completely. There were instructions in multiple languages, stickers, padding paper, boxes in boxes. Maybe even a little overdone, but by the time I got to the watch inside I had had such a great experience, I knew the watch was a great purchase!

Completely different experience.

Apple could have cut corners and saved costs by providing less quality packaging, but they're selling a brand and the brand is "quality" and that crossed over to every aspect of the purchase experience.

In Colossians, there's a passage that talks about this. In chapter 3 verse 23 it says, "... and don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best!"(MSG)

As I think about my shopping experience and I read the full passage in Colossians, I'm forced to ask myself if I'm really doing my best, or if I'm doing just enough to get by.

When I have encounters with people, projects and organizations, I want others to say something like, "I love working with Russ because he pays attention to the details and he does his best work.". Don't you want that?

Instead, we're usually running so fast and so hard, we take for granted that those around us don't expect much of us because we're so busy, so we repeatedly cut corners over and over again.

When we talk about leadership, here are some things I want to challenge you to consider:

#1) When you plan a meeting, are you putting your best planning, your best thoughts, your best efforts into making that meeting purposeful, valuable, helpful, engaging, entertaining, challenging and important? Or do you assume that the others HAVE to attend, so you don't have to work so hard preparing it. DO YOUR BEST!

#2) When you respond to someone via email or message, do you read the entire message and then think about what you want to so, or do you just fire off the first thing that pops in your mind? Take a minute and re-read your note. Stop and think through the question or the decision. Then respond AFTER you have taken just a little bit of time to give your BEST answer or reply.

#3) When someone asks for your help, are you generous with your time, your energy and your experience, or do you rush people in and out of your presence quickly? Take some time to really engage with someone, to give them VALUE.

#4) When you're doing a project, completing a body of work or preparing for a presentation, do you take the time to put your best ideas and work into it or are you looking for the easiest solution that impacts your life the least? Do you realize that people might have an opportunity to hear from you that never will again. Are you giving them some old material or ideas that you've talked about and presented for years or are you providing fresh insights and new thought that you have studied and worked on deeply? Don't WASTE peoples time.

Are you doing your best?

Do others appreciate the work you're putting into the things you're doing?

- This Edition of Lead With Russ is Sponsored by:

]]>Monday Morning with RussMonday Morning with RussRuss ClineMon, 29 Oct 2018 19:07:00 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/4/2/monday-morning-with-russ-8dtwz-mab47-rkpm5-ekmfy-574fw-n6r5958e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5be496152b6a28efc86fa624LifePlan On Demand!
For those of you that are interested in the LifePlan Facilitation but are
limited by time or resources, the Paterson Center just released an online
option.
CLICK HERE to learn more!
You can also contact me directly by writing: russ@leadermundial.orgLifePlan On Demand!

For those of you that are interested in the LifePlan Facilitation but are limited by time or resources, the Paterson Center just released an online option.

]]>Monday Morning with RussRuss ClineMon, 08 Oct 2018 17:39:28 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/4/2/monday-morning-with-russ-8dtwz-mab47-rkpm5-ekmfy-574fw58e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5bbb84ef15fcc06c58cd715bI’m Tired of Being Hacked!
This week I found out I was hacked twice. In one case, an account was
accessed and they tried to access my full personal account. In another
case, someone got into a blog I had written and inserted a “click-for-pay”
link into one of my articles, which was actually pretty clever. I addressed
each of these issues.
When you’re hacked, there some simple things that need to be done:
1) Change Your Password: Choose something different, something challenging,
and change it often. Don’t use the same passwords for multiple accounts,
and don’t use things that people can find out about you online.
2) Be More Cautious: Pay attention to SPAM messages, click throughs, and
things that are sent to you that might give people access to your personal
information.I’m Tired of Being Hacked!

This week I found out I was hacked twice. In one case, an account was accessed and they tried to access my full personal account. In another case, someone got into a blog I had written and inserted a “click-for-pay” link into one of my articles, which was actually pretty clever. I addressed each of these issues.

When you’re hacked, there some simple things that need to be done:

1) Change Your Password: Choose something different, something challenging, and change it often. Don’t use the same passwords for multiple accounts, and don’t use things that people can find out about you online.

2) Be More Cautious: Pay attention to SPAM messages, click throughs, and things that are sent to you that might give people access to your personal information.

There are other things you can do to protect yourself, but beyond staying out of the “cloud”, these are the simplest things to do to avoid being hacked.

In the midst of my frustration this week with these 2 hacks, I was reminded about how I’m “hacked” in my life everyday.

The definition of “HACK” is this:

Hack /hak/

“use a computer to gain unauthorized access to data in a system.”

“cut with rough or heavy blows”

“manage; cope”

While this week I was focused on being hacked through the “unauthorized access to my data”, I was hacked other ways with “heavy blows” that kept me from being able to “manage;cope". Here are some examples:

On Thursday, I got an infection in one of my eyes. This kept me from sleeping, caused me to spend time at urgent care, and just made me uncomfortable for a few days which really affected my work.

My wife had a back issue. This required attention, this caused us to change some plans, and affected part of my schedule.

I had 2 people contact me that needed help with a leadership issue. While this wasn’t a negative thing, their urgency became my urgency, which caused me to not get some of the things completed that I was hoping too.

I had a scheduled call with a leader, and I planned the call for 1 hour, and it went 2 hours. It was a good call, but it carved into time that I had allocated for something else.

I could go on and on, but the reality is that we are “hacked” every day in many different ways.

Plans are changed, our ideas and goals are derailed, we’re forced to respond to a crisis or emergency, or we just get distracted.

This is life. This is leadership.

I realized this week that when I was hacked electronically, I immediately responded to address the issues and try to avoid that happening again.

When I was hacked this week in other ways, I didn’t correct, respond or adjust. I just kept plowing through.

Here are some things that might help you in dealing with the DAILY HACKS that come to us all:

Plan some MARGIN in your schedule. Realize that these interruptions and emergencies will always come. Don’t be so packed full that you can’t respond to anything.

Figure out your priorities. When there’s a crisis in our family, we should respond, adjust and address that quickly. But, we need to determine if other people’s emergencies become ours. They way we determine this is by clarifying and communicating our priorities. This week, I should have said to one of the people that contacted me that I couldn’t respond right now because of some things going on in my life. Instead, I took the call.

When you’ve been hacked, or when you feel like you’ve been dealt a “hard blow”, take some time to recover. Instead of just pushing on, take a deep breath and your perspective will change. You’ll be recharged and able to address and respond to things that come at you on a daily basis. Example: This weekend, in response to a crazy week, my wife and I went and sat at the beach for 3 hours. We took a deep breath, we were encouraged and we were filled up. It’s amazing how something as simple as that can be a complete reset.

The reality is that YOU’RE GOING TO BE HACKED. How you respond to this makes all the difference.

- This Edition of Lead With Russ is Sponsored by:

]]>Monday Morning with RussMonday Morning with RussRuss ClineMon, 06 Aug 2018 19:02:03 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/4/2/monday-morning-with-russ-8dtwz-mab47-rkpm5-ekmfy58e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5b6895e788251bc8924900f7Stopping.
You've heard me encourage leaders every chance I get to learn to STOP.
This is a difficult lesson because we have gotten so used to running full
speed ahead that we've forgotten how to slow down, how to wind down, how to
STOP.
This past week, I realized that I was hitting the wall a little bit. I was
tired physically, I was emotionally drained and I had been unable to manage
some things that should have been easy to handle. I was showing some signs
of distress. For me, these signs are:
- Increased Frustration (everything was bothering me)
- Increased Distraction (I was doing everything BUT what I was supposed to
be doing)
- Increased Eating (when I feel stress, I don't eat well)
- Increased Separation (I pull away from people when I'm overwhelmed)Stopping.

You've heard me encourage leaders every chance I get to learn to STOP.

This is a difficult lesson because we have gotten so used to running full speed ahead that we've forgotten how to slow down, how to wind down, how to STOP.

This past week, I realized that I was hitting the wall a little bit. I was tired physically, I was emotionally drained and I had been unable to manage some things that should have been easy to handle. I was showing some signs of distress. For me, these signs are:

- Increased Frustration (everything was bothering me)

- Increased Distraction (I was doing everything BUT what I was supposed to be doing)

- Increased Eating (when I feel stress, I don't eat well)

- Increased Separation (I pull away from people when I'm overwhelmed)

Now, I've been learning to manage myself for a long time, so these warning signs didn't create panic or despair. Instead, they forced me to figure out what was going on.

So, here I am on Monday Morning, and I'm "unwinding" some things over the next 4 days so I can address what the source of all of this anxiety is all about.

Here's how I do it:

1) I Cleared My Schedule: I simply looked at the next 4 days and stepped away from as much as I could. I can't control everything, so there are some appointments, calls and tasks I have to do, I stepped away from as much as I possibly could.

2) I Communicated My Schedule: I let my wife know and my co-workers know that I'm stepping back for a few days. I want them to be supportive and know that I'm doing some internal work.

3) I Changed My Perspective: Today, I woke up ready to do the work. It started with a great time at the gym, time in the Word, time clearing off my desk, and creating a plan for the next 4 days to get me where I need to go. I'm excited about the journey this week.

4) I'm Avoiding Distractions: It's so easy to get bogged down in things that keep me from where I need to go. I'm saying NO to some things this week in order to say YES to what I need to be doing.

The goal: RENEWAL.

I need to find the joy again, I need to put things into perspective, and I need to be proactive instead of reactive.

This is an ongoing cycle. When we live at the pace that we live in, we have to figure out how to manage ourselves instead of just piling things on over and over again. We have to figure out what our "replenishment cycle" is, and work hard to refuel and refocus.

There will be some motorcycle time in my near future, as well as a good dose of exercise and nutrition. There will be some intentional relationship time with my wife that will hopefully include a walk on the beach, and there will be some silence and stillness. It's amazing how healing some simple things become when we STOP.

If you need some help STOPPING, why don't you join me for the next 4 days!

This Edition of Lead With Russ is Sponsored by:

]]>Monday Morning with RussMonday Morning with RussRuss ClineMon, 23 Jul 2018 14:02:00 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/4/2/monday-morning-with-russ-8dtwz-mab47-rkpm558e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5b5b905d6d2a73abcc838b9dLearning
This past week I had the opportunity to travel to Asia to work with some of
our staff and partners. It was a great week of engaging with people, but a
highlight of the week was a one-day basic business seminar we did for a
group of 50 women and 5 men. Each of these people want to change their
future by operating their own, successful business.
As we gathered together, there was excitement! This was an opportunity to
learn from others, to talk with people that are in the same situation, and
a chance to ask some questions.Learning

This past week I had the opportunity to travel to Asia to work with some of our staff and partners. It was a great week of engaging with people, but a highlight of the week was a one-day basic business seminar we did for a group of 50 women and 5 men. Each of these people want to change their future by operating their own, successful business.

As we gathered together, there was excitement! This was an opportunity to learn from others, to talk with people that are in the same situation, and a chance to ask some questions.

The day went well and we had a good group of people teaching and training and guiding conversations.

As I traveled home following the seminar, I was encouraged by the people's desire for learning. There was a HUNGER for learning, a desire to improve themselves and to help themselves move forward.

It's been a long time since I had a true hunger to learn.

I've been out of school for a long time, and it's easy to get comfortable with what you know. It's easy to not push yourself or stretch yourself into new things.

I want to encourage you to try something new!

Currently I'm engaged in a a 6-month online course that is challenging and demanding and rewarding at the same time. While I have to fight to put the time into it, I see results as I learn and am challenged in new things.

Here are some ways to do that:

Read a book outside of your area of interest. Try something random and different.

Take a free online course just for fun. You'll find many different themes and topics available.

Look at a local college or university and audit a class in an area of interest.

Find someone you look up to for their accomplishments in a certain field, and ask them to teach you a little bit about it.

Choose a topic and do some exhaustive research on that topic at the library, and write down the things you learn.

Listen to different podcasts or read blog posts around an area of "curiosity", not your expertise

There are lot's of ways to learn. I encourage you to not use the excuse of your lack of "time and energy" as a reason for not learning.

We all can learn something new!

This Edition of Lead With Russ is Sponsored by:

]]>Monday Morning with RussMonday Morning with RussRuss ClineMon, 14 May 2018 18:35:00 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/4/2/monday-morning-with-russ-8dtwz-mab4758e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5afc74831ae6cfbdcb1f6960Two Days
I celebrated my birthday 2 weeks ago. It's amazing how quickly time seems
to be flying, especially as I get older. I have no idea where this past
year went, but I do know that it was a good year, and I'm excited about the
year to come! My celebration was squeezed between a large leadership event
and my youngest daughter's college graduation, so there was much
celebration.
I'm reflecting on this quote from Mark Twain:
"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born... and
the day you find out why."Two Days

I celebrated my birthday 2 weeks ago. It's amazing how quickly time seems to be flying, especially as I get older. I have no idea where this past year went, but I do know that it was a good year, and I'm excited about the year to come! My celebration was squeezed between a large leadership event and my youngest daughter's college graduation, so there was much celebration.

I'm reflecting on this quote from Mark Twain:

"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born... and the day you find out why."

What a great thought. I celebrate my birthday every year. This year there was time with family, a great gift, and a couple of celebratory meals. It was a good celebration, as it is each year.

The second day, from the quote above, has come to me over time. I've been on a journey for the past 32 years, trying to figure out who I am and what my greatest contribution to this life is. It's been an exciting journey that I've loved at every step of the way. It hasn't always been easy, but it's been good.

It's when I stop and look back that I can gain the perspective and see where my life is heading and where my future lies.

A couple of years ago, I "stopped" and did a Paterson LifePlan. I took 2 days, and entered a one-on-one session with a facilitator, and he helped me see and gain perspective on the past 30 years of my life, and then from the knowledge gained from that, I began to put a plan in place moving forward, into this next stage of life.

Today I'm working forward, moving closer to my gifts, my passions and the goal of my life to impact and help leaders and organizations to experience their greatest success and outcomes.

It's still a journey, but the confidence I have has changed dramatically in that it all makes sense! I can see the path and I can anticipate the trajectory.

The LifePlan Process helped me to:

Articulate key lessons I learned from major turning points in my life

Celebrate success and failure by identifying learnings from each situation

Define "what's important now", or helped me determine where I need to start to continue moving in the right direction.

Evaluate areas of my life that didn't have the appropriate margin, creating capacity

Identify that things in life that "refueled me" and restored my soul. I then created a plan to ensure that these things became a part of my normal day, week, month and year.

There's so much more I could share.

The process was so impactful that I walked through the Facilitator Process so that I could help others experience what I experienced in looking at their own lives and their own journey. I have now helped many others continue in this journey, and in some cases, make some major changes to address the need, the call and the passion they have for life.

I share this with you to encourage you. You don't have to be STUCK. You don't have to continually wonder "WHAT IF...?" You can begin a process of discovery that will set you on a course that helps you answer that question, "Why was I put on this earth? What's my greatest contribution?"

If I can help you with that process, don't hesitate to contact me HERE

This Edition of Lead With Russ is Sponsored by:

]]>Monday Morning with RussMonday Morning with RussRuss ClineMon, 09 Apr 2018 18:00:56 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/4/2/monday-morning-with-russ-8dtwz58e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5acb9ff1f950b7425236c086LEARNING TO LEVERAGE
I've been working for the past few weeks on a presentation around
"Leverage in your Leadership". While reading some great books and articles,
I found some really good tips to share with leaders about how to leverage
our leadership into greater impact.
However, as I was researching and preparing, I realize that it's one thing
to "leverage your leadership", and it's another thing to "learn how to
leverage your leadership".
Here are a couple of things I think all of us can do that will help us find
greater leverage:
#1) BE INTENTIONALLEARNING TO LEVERAGE

I've been working for the past few weeks on a presentation around "Leverage in your Leadership". While reading some great books and articles, I found some really good tips to share with leaders about how to leverage our leadership into greater impact.

However, as I was researching and preparing, I realize that it's one thing to "leverage your leadership", and it's another thing to "learn how to leverage your leadership".

Here are a couple of things I think all of us can do that will help us find greater leverage:

#1) BE INTENTIONAL

Leverage doesn't just happen. We have to work at it. We have to dream about it. We have to set some goals around it. We have to plan for it. The reality is that most of us don't have the margin of time needed to be more intentional. We're running as hard as we can, and we are dropping some of the spinning plates as we try to keep things moving. We will never be able to get the full impact of leverage unless we are more intentional. For the past few weeks we've talked about time and distractions. What's keeping you from being intentional?

A more specific way to say this might be: "I want to host a leadership coaching event for 15 leaders, helping them learn, grow and apply some leadership principles into their organizations, and seeing each leader share the principles learned with 2 leaders inside their organization within 15 days of the event".

This is something that can be measured and immediately there's a higher value placed on the activity.

#3) BE CREATIVE

Leverage isn't just about "more people, more impact". Think of ways to increase leverage that might require some different creative energy.

From the example above: "While teaching leadership principles to a group of leaders, I want to provide them with some tools to use not only in their organizations, but personally with their families. I want their families to be strengthened while they become better leaders."

Sometimes we get excited when things happen that we didn't expect. I want to encourage you to think outside the box about what can be leveraged, what can be impacted. Don't settle for the easy multiplication model of 1 X 3 = Greater Impact! Be creative in the process.

Leverage can be defined as: "The power to influence a person or situation to achieve a particular outcome"

Addington talks about this as he talks about leading with intentionality. Lot's of great ideas and tips, and I encourage you to read the book.

I want to detour and focus on this idea of "Distraction Management".

Here I am, looking at the screen, trying to write this blog post, and I'm checking my email, I'm waiting for a phone call, and I'm moving 3 different piles of paper on my desk all at the same time. I'm not managing my distraction very well, and the reality is, if I focused on one task, I would complete it faster, then I could move on to the next, but sometimes I get so caught up in trying to multi-task that I get to the end of the day, and I leave 5 or 6 projects undone because I got distracted and didn't get it down.

While I haven't perfected the art of "Distraction Management", I have learned some things. I've shared them with you from time to time, but if you're like me, you're quick to forget... because you get distracted!

Here are some things that help me with this:

#1) BLOCK SCHEDULE MY TIME

I try to schedule the week ahead of me, making appointments with myself to focus on specific tasks and blocking time to work on priority projects. Don't feel bad about doing this. You're simply choosing to do what's most important and communicating to people that you're "booked" or that you "have an appointment".

#2) ENGAGE FULLY WHENEVER I CAN

When I try to check my messages, track the weather, send texts to my kids and listen to a conversation at the same time, I miss out on something! Engage fully wherever you are. You'll take more away and people will feel more valued by you.

#3) SAY NO!

You don't have to do everything. Figure out what is most important, and if you can control your time and decisions, learn to say no. You can't do everything.

#4) FIND YOUR SPACE

Figure out where you work best. Some people like to work in a coffee shop or in a noisy place. Others need complete silence or a comfortable place. Figure out what works best for you and get there when it's time to do your most important work. For me, I am most productive when I'm in my office, at my desk, with all the resources I have around me and accessible. I know I work better, faster and I'm less distracted in this "happy place" I've created, far from the distractions that tempt me to do something else. Where do you work best?

#5) TAKE A BREAK

I find that if I take regular breaks, I can work longer. I need to move, I need to refocus, I need to respond to urgent messages. Sometimes just taking a 10-minute walk around the block re-energizes me for another 90 minutes. Take a break when you can. I've found that many short breaks work best for me and keeps me fresh.

Learn to manage the distractions in your life, your work and your space!

This Edition of Lead With Russ is Sponsored by:

]]>Monday Morning with RussMonday Morning With RussRuss ClineMon, 26 Mar 2018 16:41:00 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/3/10/monday-morning-with-russ-ftcp958e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5ab876b58a922dbfc6c0d51aMANAGING MY TO-DO-LIST: It happens to the best of us:
*We start the week by creating of list of things we need to do.
*Our goal is to “get through the list”, but the longer we focus on the
list, the more items we remember to add to the list.
*We end up spending more time creating and managing our list then actually
addressing the items that need to be done.
*The LIST controls us!
Janet Choi shares that “41% of t0-d0-items are never completed” (I Done
This Blog)
By the end of the week, we’re checking things off, deleting things, and
determining that some of these things should have been on the list in the
first place!
But, the following week, we’re back at it, building our to-do-list again!
So, here are some simple tips to making your To-Do-List work:
#1) Determine if working off of a list helps your or if it distracts you.
Some people are list people. Some aren’t. If you’re obsessing about your
list, or if you are trying to manage multiple lists, then it’s becoming a
distraction. You need to figure out a better way to track actionable items.
#2) Keep the list SIMPLEMANAGING MY TO-DO-LIST: It happens to the best of us:

*We start the week by creating of list of things we need to do.

*Our goal is to “get through the list”, but the longer we focus on the list, the more items we remember to add to the list.

*We end up spending more time creating and managing our list then actually addressing the items that need to be done.

*The LIST controls us!

Janet Choi shares that “41% of t0-d0-items are never completed”(I Done This Blog)

By the end of the week, we’re checking things off, deleting things, and determining that some of these things should have been on the list in the first place!

But, the following week, we’re back at it, building our to-do-list again!

So, here are some simple tips to making your To-Do-List work:

#1) Determine if working off of a list helps your or if it distracts you.

Some people are list people. Some aren’t. If you’re obsessing about your list, or if you are trying to manage multiple lists, then it’s becoming a distraction. You need to figure out a better way to track actionable items.

#2) Keep the list SIMPLE

Don’t detail every aspect of what needs to be done, but keep the list simple. You might want to ask yourself the question, “What’s Important Now?” and only address things that are for NOW.

#3) Assign TIME to every item on the list

Don’t put anything on your list unless you have set a time in your schedule to address it. This is simple “block scheduling”. This is the only way you’ll be able to accomplish the things on your list. Over time, you’ll get better at estimating the amount of time needed to complete the task.

#4) Read through your list 3-times

As you look quickly at your list, you’ll be able to determine if all of the things on the list are under your control, if they are your responsibility, and if they’re a priority. Check the list quickly, and keep weeding off the things that creep in there that don’t need to be there.

There are hundreds of different apps and tools to help you manage your list. Don’t spend too much time and money figuring out the best “method”. Instead, figure out how to be the most effective you can be.

I simply use the Reminders app on my phone, pad and computer. It all syncs together, it’s free (Apple) and it works well. I always have my most current list, and if feels good to get things completed. Don’t get lost in the technology.

]]>Monday Morning With RussRuss ClineMon, 05 Mar 2018 22:44:00 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/3/10/monday-morning-with-russ58e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5aa45c56c8302542e9a3ed2aThis past week, I had the opportunity to hear a friend speak about the
power of COMMUNITY.
My friend Jeff talked about the correlation between burnout and and our
need for community. He talked about the fact that the best way to address
common forms of burnout is by addressing areas of sleep, nutrition and
exercise. He went on to share however that by addressing these things, you
can't fully address the issues of burnout. A study conducted in 2017 found
that the missing ingredient was relationships. Jeff went on to say, "Not
just any kind of relationships, but engagement in meaningful work with
those in meaningful relationships with others. They described this as being
in Community."This past week, I had the opportunity to hear a friend speak about the power of COMMUNITY.

My friend Jeff talked about the correlation between burnout and and our need for community. He talked about the fact that the best way to address common forms of burnout is by addressing areas of sleep, nutrition and exercise. He went on to share however that by addressing these things, you can't fully address the issues of burnout. A study conducted in 2017 found that the missing ingredient was relationships. Jeff went on to say, "Not just any kind of relationships, but engagement in meaningful work with those in meaningful relationships with others. They described this as being in Community."

While I'm not dealing with burnout today, in my past I see how a caring community has the power to provide a structure of support and encouragement for people walking through a difficult time. We see this so evidently when people deal with grief and loss. When people gather around them and walk with them through this time, they are encouraged and don't feel so alone.

This conversation caused me to think about my community. If I was dealing with burnout or some of the symptoms that accompany that, are there people close enough that would notice? Are there people I would share this issue with? Am I putting myself in a place where I'm not just relying on myself and my own abilities?

One of the things I've discovered is that much of my "community" comes from relationships that are not where I'm currently living. I have to drive either 30 or 60 minutes to see these friends, or I have to fly hours on a plane, in some cases around the world.

I need Community here, where I live, where I walk, where I spend a chunk of my time. I need people that are close, that would notice my state of being and who are willing to ask the difficult questions, and then be willing to walk with me as I get myself back into alignment. I need to work on this.

]]>Monday Morning With RussRuss ClineTue, 13 Feb 2018 06:12:42 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/2/12/monday-morning-with-russ58e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5a827d16e4966b23d674aa0bGood Morning!
I talked about being "Ready", being "Set" and being ready to "Go", as I
looked at the New Year. It's now February and like all other years, I find
myself struggling to keep up with the pace and with all of the
opportunities that are in front of me.
The reality is that there will "always" be opportunities.
I'm simply have to figure out which ones are the most important for me!
Do you find yourself struggling with this too?
Here are a couple of things that help:Good Morning!

I talked about being "Ready", being "Set" and being ready to "Go", as I looked at the New Year. It's now February and like all other years, I find myself struggling to keep up with the pace and with all of the opportunities that are in front of me.

The reality is that there will "always" be opportunities.

I'm simply have to figure out which ones are the most important for me!

Do you find yourself struggling with this too?

Here are a couple of things that help:

#1) Surround Yourself With People that Help: I need people in my life who will speak truth to me, who won't be impressed by me and who love me enough to confront me. I need COMMUNITY. I just wrote a blog post on this on the Leader Mundial Pages. CLICK HERE to read it.

#2) Always Be Working Towards Your Goals: It's not enough to just manage yourself. You have to be working towards the things that are most important for you, now. Another way to ask that is to simply say, "What's Important Now?". The LifePlan Process I walk through with Leaders helps to identify these most important steps. CLICK HERE to learn more about this.

#3) Learn To Say NO: One of my mentors, Jim Burns, used to always say to me, "You have to say no". Ted Engstrom once said, "You'll be measured more by what you say NO to then by what you say YES to." When you say YES, it means you're saying NO to something else. You don't have to do it all. You just need to do what's most important for you, today!

The New Year is hear, in fact we've already moved through almost 6 weeks of it.

Make every day that's yet to come the best day possible! There is still time to get to the things that are most important to you.

]]>Monday Morning with RussRuss ClineMon, 08 Jan 2018 05:30:02 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/1/7/monday-morning-with-russ-158e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5a52fd52c830256b61b7c9fcFor years I would write a note to my staff every Monday Morning. I called
it the Monday Morning Memo, and the idea behind it was that I wanted to
give my team something to think about for the week ahead, as well as give
them a "heads-up" for things that might be coming at us in the days coming.
I found my rhythm writing these notes each week, and I found that it helped
me frame my day, my week, my expectations and my goals. Just stopping for
a few minutes to think about what's coming at me helped me to GET READY
for the task before me.
This blog began as a Friday Note, and is now moving to Monday.For years I would write a note to my staff every Monday Morning. I called it the Monday Morning Memo, and the idea behind it was that I wanted to give my team something to think about for the week ahead, as well as give them a "heads-up" for things that might be coming at us in the days coming.

I found my rhythm writing these notes each week, and I found that it helped me frame my day, my week, my expectations and my goals. Just stopping for a few minutes to think about what's coming at me helped me to GET READY for the task before me.

This blog began as a Friday Note, and is now moving to Monday.

I want to help you get ready for the week ahead of you and the challenges you might face.

I want to share some ideas, tips, encouragement that you might think about and draw on during the week when things aren't going the way you want them to go.

I want to give you about 3 minutes of content so it doesn't take too much of your time, but you might be able to scroll through and find something that just helps you clarify the direction you're moving in.

Thanks for following along...

•On the wall at my gym is this sign. I looked at it every day that I went, then I finally took a picture of it. Pretty simple reminders on my health. I'm working on this! The 9 1/2 hours of sleep is a little difficult to get, but the rest is within my grasp!

]]>Monday Morning with RussRuss ClineTue, 02 Jan 2018 04:53:00 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2018/1/7/monday-morning-with-russ58e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:5a52f7d224a694bca8619b3fIt's January 1st, 2018.
Are you READY? Are you SET? Let's GO!
I heard those words last month in a class at my gym. The instructor had
positioned us at our stations, and then she said this real slow....
"READY, SET, GO".
As she paused between each word, I thought about what it meant.
Flashbacks to high school track and field and the start of every race!It's January 1st, 2018.

Are you READY? Are you SET? Let's GO!

I heard those words last month in a class at my gym. The instructor had positioned us at our stations, and then she said this real slow.... "READY, SET, GO".

As she paused between each word, I thought about what it meant.

Flashbacks to high school track and field and the start of every race!

Are you READY? Have I prepared enough? Do I know what I'm doing? Am I using my skills, abilities, strengths, talents, passions? Have I done the work needed to get to this point?

Are you SET? Can I focus? How's my breathing? It's coming now!

Let's GO! Here we go, it's time to start. It's time to move forward. It's time to act.

I'm thinking through these words as I begin this New Year.

At times I feel like I'm in a race, and here I am today, standing on the starting line, and I'm asking myself if I'm READY!

Let's spend some time unpacking this idea of READY, SET, GO.

But for today, just take some time to think, pray, ponder, imagine and visualize the RACE that is before you!

If you'd like some leadership help, visit LEADER MUNDIAL. These pages are full of tips, ideas and help to leaders all over the world.

]]>Russ' Friday FiveRuss ClineFri, 20 Oct 2017 17:30:00 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2017/10/7/russ-friday-five-158e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:59d9b750edaed84653109f8eFive Things I Want To Share With You Today...
#1) One of my "life mentors" is a guy named Jim Burns. Jim has walked with
me for over 30 years as a youth pastor, a missionary, a leader, a husband
and a father. He's influenced my life and I've shared the things he
challenged with with to so many other people. To learn more about Jim and
what his organization, HomeWord is doing to "help families succeed", CLICK
HERE. He's the real deal! Thanks Jim for your influence, example and
generosity for so many years.Five Things I Want To Share With You Today...

#1) One of my "life mentors" is a guy named Jim Burns. Jim has walked with me for over 30 years as a youth pastor, a missionary, a leader, a husband and a father. He's influenced my life and I've shared the things he challenged with with to so many other people. To learn more about Jim and what his organization, HomeWord is doing to "help families succeed", CLICK HERE. He's the real deal! Thanks Jim for your influence, example and generosity for so many years.

]]>Russ' Friday FiveRuss ClineFri, 13 Oct 2017 17:29:00 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2017/10/7/russ-friday-five58e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:59d9b0444c326d0fa4b0a3c7#1) Here's a great personal budgeting app that Dave Ramsey endorses: EVERY
DOLLAR
#2) Stewart Copeland, the drummer for the band "The Police" said in an
interview..."Real entrepreneurs never get a day off." Do you agree with
that statement? What's your experience?
#3) While on vacation recently, I wanted to read a book that was different
then the other books I've been reading. I chose Andre Agassi's
Autobiography, "OPEN". It was a great read and told a story of hard work,
perseverance, and victory! I'd recommend it.Five Things I Want To Share With You Today...

#1) Here's a great personal budgeting app that Dave Ramsey endorses: EVERY DOLLAR

#2) Stewart Copeland, the drummer for the band "The Police" said in an interview..."Real entrepreneurs never get a day off." Do you agree with that statement? What's your experience?

#3) While on vacation recently, I wanted to read a book that was different then the other books I've been reading. I chose Andre Agassi's Autobiography, "OPEN". It was a great read and told a story of hard work, perseverance, and victory! I'd recommend it.

#4) Here's a great app for any conversions. It's called UNITS PLUS. Find it at the Apple Store HERE

#5) A Two-Minute Training that talks about the role every person has in others lives as a CHEERLEADER, simply someone encouraging and showing up! Watch the clip HERE

This edition of Russ' Friday Five is sponsored by:

CLICK HERE FOR MORE!

]]>Russ' Friday FiveRuss ClineSat, 07 Oct 2017 04:54:00 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2017/10/5/russ-friday-five58e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:59d6fb9590badecbc7ee6421Five Things I Want To Share With You Today...
#1) Here's a great Peter Drucker quote: "There is nothing quite so useless,
as doing with great efficiency, something that should not be done at all."
What do you think about that?
#2) Here's another quote, this one from Tony Robbins: "The biggest mistake
most business make is falling in love with their product or service, not
with their clients." Thoughts? What would the ramifications be for
non-profit organizations?
#3) Change Happens. It happens to us all. Here are some thoughts on the
cycle of change: CLICK HEREFive Things I Want To Share With You Today...

#1) Here's a great Peter Drucker quote: "There is nothing quite so useless, as doing with great efficiency, something that should not be done at all." What do you think about that?

#2) Here's another quote, this one from Tony Robbins: "The biggest mistake most business make is falling in love with their product or service, not with their clients." Thoughts? What would the ramifications be for non-profit organizations?

#3) Change Happens. It happens to us all. Here are some thoughts on the cycle of change: CLICK HERE

#4) A great book that addresses burnout and how to deal with it! If you're struggling with stress and being depleted, ready this book!

#5) OK. If you're like me, when you travel, there are times that you need to wash some clothes. Here's a great tool that will help you! Try it out... It works for me!

]]>Russ' Friday FiveRuss ClineSat, 30 Sep 2017 05:12:00 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2017/9/26/russ-friday-five58e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:59cada128dd041fa2e3bced4Five Things I Want To Share With You Today...
#1) Here's a quote: "Direction, not intention, determines your
destination." Andy Stanley said this. What do you think?
#2) A great APP for those of you that travel. The 7 Minute Workout app is
the #1 fitness app in 127 countries. I'm trying it now, and it's good!
Check it out on Itunes HERE.Five Things I Want To Share With You Today...

#1) Here's a quote: "Direction, not intention, determines your destination."Andy Stanley said this. What do you think?

#2) A great APP for those of you that travel. The 7 Minute Workout app is the #1 fitness app in 127 countries. I'm trying it now, and it's good! Check it out on Itunes HERE.

#3) A while back a friend asked on Social Media for the greatest songs of the 80's. I'm a child of the 80's, so I jumped in with my favorites. These included some songs from groups like Journey, Styx and Chicago. Oh, I'm also a Classic Rock guy. So, continuing this conversation, here's my favorite album of all time... We go back to 1975 to The Eagles. Right before they're blockbuster album, "Hotel California" came out, they produced "One Of These Nights". I got it as a cassette tape, and wore it out. I was going into Junior High, and this album had a profound impact on my life. Listen to the music from the title song. There still might be hope for you! CLICK HERE

#4) If you live in Southern California, and you are connected to a Non-Profit Organization, we are offering a Leadership Coaching experience on November 16th, 2017 in Irvine, California. Come together with other non-profit leaders and local business leaders for a session that will challenge your leaderships, and give you the opportunity to learn and apply new things. CLICK HERE for more information, and fell free to share this with others! The session is called Barnabas Coaching.

#5) If you work with a Non-Profit Board and need some help, tips or ideas, check out these pages on the Leader Mundial Pages. CLICK HERE

This edition of Russ' Friday Five is sponsored by:

The Leader Mundial Pages are dedicated to providing tips, ideas, resources and tools for leaders around the world. Browse through these pages to find some help for your leadership.

]]>Russ' Friday Five Russ ClineFri, 22 Sep 2017 18:26:00 +0000https://www.russellcline.com/lead-with-russ/2017/9/25/russ-friday-five-9-22-1758e8789846c3c45cf019b4c7:5906473a2e69cf367cee36e1:59c993e790badec881c412edFive Things I Want To Share With You Today...
#1) A great quote from Lily Tomlin: "The trouble with the rat race is that
even if you win, you're still a rat." What do you think about that?
#2) Let's talk about SLEEP. Here's a great article by Sydney Loney on how
Social Meeting is ruining your sleep: CLICK HEREFive Things I Want To Share With You Today...

#1) A great quote from Lily Tomlin: "The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat." What do you think about that?

#2) Let's talk about SLEEP. Here's a great article by Sydney Loney on how Social Meeting is ruining your sleep: CLICK HERE

#3) Tom Rath wrote a great book entitled, "EAT, MOVE, SLEEP" It's a really simple book with some great reminders, tips, and encouragement to address these three areas of your life. Check out the book! CLICK HERE

#4) Tim Ferriss shares a podcast entitled, "Tools and Tips for Better Sleep" where in interviews a number of people on tips and ideas around better sleep. Lot's of good information and science here! Check it out HERE

#5) Lastly, when I facilitate a LifePlan, part of the conversation is around "Replenishment Cycles", basically identifying the things that "refill you". I've found that when I take care of myself (physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual), I feel better, I sleep better, I live better. If you'd like to walk through the LifePlan process, contact me!